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The only university in the UK with a men’s officer has scrapped the role after the candidate withdrew due to “harassment”.

James Knight put his name forward to be men's officer at the University of the West of England, but claims he was harassed, and has withdrawn. He was the only candidate in the race.

The University of the West of England told The Telegraph that the position has now been suspended pending review.

The roles of transgender and women’s officers have also been brought in this month.

Knight said he stood to highlight "the poor state of mental health services at UWE" and told a student paper: "I know how deeply mental health issues can run in men and how much of a taboo it can be for men to talk about their mental health."

However, students and National Union of Students officers quickly began a campaign against the role.

NUS officer Ilyas Nagdee accused the university of “weaponising tragic student suicides” at Bristol University “ in order to pursue this vile undemocratic shambles of a men's officer”, labelling the election: “The worst thing I've seen in student politics.”

"Especially when UWE students actually voted against such position. Men are not a minority at university and surely appointing a wellbeing officer would cover men’s mental health.”

NUS women's officer Sarah Lasoye said: "The role of a men’s officer is entirely obsolete and the attempt to implement one stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of liberation and almost always an unearned sense of entitlement."

Mr Knight said the negative response to his campaign, coupled with alleged harassment, caused him to step down. He said in a statement: “Due to the negative reaction to the men’s officer position and continued external harassment, I have taken the difficult decision to stand down as a candidate.”

A spokesman from the students’ union at UWE said: “Following the withdrawal of the candidate from the Men’s Officer Role, the election for that position is no longer running. As per our previous statements, we will be seeking ratification of the role at the next Student Council. We will look to move this forward based on their decision.”